Hi everyone, this second week of November is a short post. I hope you forgive me for the length but I felt it was better to go with quality rather than quantity. In short, I selected two authors who I thought wrote exceptional reads that depicted that time period. Hope you enjoy the reviews below!!
The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson (Century; London, 1993) is a gorgeous historical read with the country of Austria as its backdrop. We meet Ruth, who lives happily in the magnificent city of Vienna. Then the Nazis invade and her world is turned upside down. Her parents flee to London, but Ruth is accidentally left behind. A family friend offers her an escape route: a marriage of convenience to be dissolved as soon as they reach England. But Ruth’s feelings for Quinn soon take her by surprise, and her efforts to set him free do not quite go as she plans.
My review: This was such a beautifully written love story!! I laughed, I cried and shook my fist at some of the harsh situations Ruth found herself in. I found myself transported back in time not just to those war years as Vienna was invaded, but also to Northumberland, the Lake District, and my most favourite place in England, Cornwall!! Eva Ibbotson captivated me from the beginning of this teen read until the very end. From the descriptions and imagery, characters and storyline, even the inclusion of classical music, this amazing book enriched my continuing education in those war years.
White bird by R.J. Palacio (Penguin Books; UK, 2019) is a graphic novel with layers of contemporary and historical fiction inside. It’s actually a companion or a sequel of sorts to R.J. Palacio’s Wonder. We’re taken into the life of Auggie Pullman’s classroom bully, Julian. White Bird reveals a new side to Julian’s story as Julian discovers the moving and powerful tale of his grandmother who was hidden from the Nazis as a young Jewish girl in occupied France during the Second World War. An unforgettable story about strength, courage, and the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives.
My review: A gorgeous and poignant graphic tale from the best-selling author of Wonder. Being mostly about the life of Julian’s grandmother, this tale takes readers to a small corner of occupied France and showcases the courage and resilience shown by those who survived the atrocities of World War Two. The character of Sara and all that she endures during the atrocities of the Holocaust are shown in a beautiful marriage between text and images. The colour palette chosen gave it a different feel as well. I liked how Palacio had based Sara on three different women and even used strands from Anne Frank to inspire her from the notes towards the end. A truly awe-inspiring read!!
Stay safe and keep reading
Miss Mahee
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 